Thursday’s CEO Sleepout at UTAS Stadium will be an exercise in stepping out of the comfort zone for Sam Woolcock.

The owner of Woolcock’s Real Estate has been involved in the annual event for the past three years as a charity auctioneer, but will this time be among those sleeping rough on the stadium surface. He said previous experience had told him to expect anything but a cosy evening.

“It’s usually one of the coldest nights of the year,” he said.

“I’m used to getting there as they are all sort of bunkering down for the night and then going home to a warm bed, but this time I’m doing the hard yards.”

I think there are a lot of people in the corporate environment who recognise they have got a lucky life - Sam Woolcock

The Launceston real estate agent has already raised more than $3000 for the charity event and will auction off a personalised barrel of premium Tasmanian wine from Winemaking Tasmania on the night. He said the experience of sleeping out in the open was a good way for people in the corporate world to understand the homeless experience beyond donating to the cause.

“I think there are a lot of people in the corporate environment who recognise they have got a lucky life and this is a small gesture they make to donate to St Vinnies.”